Can anything help with cellulite on belly 1 year after tummy tuck? (photo)

Question

Hello, I am one year Post tummy tuck and my new belly ia covered in dimples. Im 5'5", 130lb, athletic and eat mostly low carb but the cellulite is not budging. Any ideas of what could be going on or suggesstions gor treatment? Pre-op and curreent pics attached

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear lacymcc,
you might consider Cellfina to reduce the cellulite. Patients are usually satisfied after the treatment (over 90 %). I would suggest you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience with Cellfina.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding if anything can help with the cellulite on your belly one year after a tummy tuck. Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your abdomen one year after a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. In carefully examining your pictures, you do have cellulite. But perhaps more importantly, you have excess skin of the abdomen. I'm sure your abdomen was pulled tightly during your tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. Your skin was pulled down in a horizontal fashion. However, you have excess vertical skin. That means when you pinch the abdomen in a vertical direction, you have excess skin. To get rid of this excess skin, I would suggest either an incision from your sternum to your belly button and then down to your pubic region as a midline, vertical scar. This will eliminate the excess skin and fat of your central and lateral abdomen. Another option is to make an incision from your armpit down to your hip and eliminate the excess skin and fat of that region. I do not think abdominal liposuction or j-plasma or any form of radiofrequency would get rid of this vertical excess abdominal skin. Thank you for your question regarding if anything can help with the cellulite on your belly one year after a tummy tuck. Good luck.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You may find improvement int the contour irregularities on the abdomen with Morpheus8.  This treatment uses RF technology to improve overall skin tone and texture.  Three sessions are recommended for optimal results.  I encourage you to visit with your surgeon to discuss your concerns.

Ashley Thorburn, MD · Answer

Cellulite is a common condition that can affect anyone, regardless of their body shape or size. It's characterized by dimpled and uneven skin texture, usually found on areas with underlying fat deposits, like the thighs, buttocks, and sometimes the belly. Tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) are surgical procedures designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, but they are not specifically intended to target cellulite.If you're experiencing cellulite on your belly one year after a tummy tuck, there are a few options you could consider:1.) Massage and Topical Treatments: Some people find that massage and using topical treatments, such as creams containing caffeine or retinol, can temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite by increasing blood flow and stimulating collagen production. However, results can vary and tend to be modest.2.) Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help improve your overall skin tone and body composition. While it might not completely eliminate cellulite, it can certainly help to make it less noticeable.3.) Non-Invasive Procedures: There are various non-invasive procedures available that claim to reduce the appearance of cellulite. These include treatments like radiofrequency, laser therapy, acoustic wave therapy, and more. These treatments typically work by targeting the underlying collagen and fat to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity. It's important to note that results can vary, and multiple sessions may be required.4.) Consult with a Professional: If you're concerned about the appearance of cellulite after your tummy tuck, it's best to consult with a skilled plastic surgeon or dermatologist. They can assess your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate course of action, which might include a combination of treatments.5.) Realistic Expectations: It's important to have realistic expectations when it comes to treating cellulite. While some treatments might improve its appearance to some extent, complete elimination is challenging and often not achievable.Remember that every person's body is unique, and what works for one individual might not work the same way for another. It's always a good idea to seek professional advice before pursuing any treatment options to ensure they are safe and suitable for your specific situation.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Based on your pictures, you are an excellent candidate for liposuction revision surgery. The definitive correction for liposuction deformities requires the advanced technology of ultrasound assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I encounter suboptimal liposuction outcome referrals weekly. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently corrected liposuction caused deformities. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of severity of contour irregularities by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. Finally, when skin redundancy irregularities are observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Cellulite forms from connective tissue that anchors the skin in the underlying fascia layer.  these connective tissue bands are rigid and do not have much pliability. when the thickness of surrounding subtitaneous fat is it longer or thicker than the length of the connective tissue bands then cellulite forms.

It’s a bit like tufted furniture.

Different areas of the body have different amounts of this connective tissue. It tends to be very concentrated in areas of the body that can tolerate a lot of pressure where the skin needs to be stabilized to the underlying fascia.

The best example of this is the palms of the hands.

You can easily lift the skin by pinching it and tenting it up on the back of your hand. Now try that in your mid palm. You’ll realize that you cannot because the skin is stuck and will not project.

The Palms of the hands, soles of the feet, back of the thigh and lower inner part of the buttocks are typically the areas that have the most of this connective tissue.

Cellulite is most commonly found on the thighs and buttocks because those areas have a lot of connective tissue.

It’s rare for people to have cellulite on their abdomen.

It’s simply isn’t something we see.

Did you have cellulite before your tummy tuck?

If so then you have cellulite on your abdomen and you need to consider cellulite treatments.

The treatments for cellulite is an attempt to cut each individual connective tissue band that’s pulling in on the skin with a procedure called a Subsicion.  This is sometimes done with a device called Celfina.

It isn’t all that effective but can give some improvements.

My best guess is that the contour irregularities on your abdomen are not cellulite but are a result of liposuction done in conjunction with your tummy tuck.

Obviously if you had cellulite before the procedure then you have baseline abdominal cellulite.

If it happened from the procedure then it’s related to how the procedure was done and it’s something that should be brought up with your provider.

Delivering consistent quality liposuction results is more difficult than most people believe.

Those who  lack sufficient skill and experience sometimes create skin contour issues while performing liposuction.

That’s what it looks like to me but it seems a little bit inappropriate to play Monday morning quarterback or second guess someone else’s work without having access to a complete set of information.

When getting an assessment for the outcome of a procedure patients need to always include before and after pictures.

If you don’t have before and after pictures then contact your provider and ask them to forward the ones they took.

We can’t make an assessment if we don’t know what the changes made were.  The before and after pictures tells the story and shows the change created.

In your case seeing cellulite on your before pictures would’ve simplified the answer greatly.

Since abdominal cellulite is pretty unusual especially of the upper abdomen my best guess is this is related to the procedure.

Follow up with your provider or consider re-posting with proper pictures.

Alternatively you can schedule proper in person second opinion consultations. If you do that then please bring with you before and after pictures and a copy of your operative report which is available from your providers office by requesting your medical records.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

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